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Global dracunculiases cases decline despite eradication setbacks
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Surveillance data from the first 6 months of 2015 suggested a continued decline in dracunculiasis cases despite eradication setbacks throughout the previous year.
“In 1986, the World Health Assembly called for dracunculiasis elimination, and the global Guinea Worm Eradication Program, let by the Carter Center and supported by WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund, CDC and other partners, began assisting ministries of health in countries where dracunculiasis was endemic,” the researchers wrote. “Compared with the 1986 estimate, the annual number of reported cases in 2015 has been reduced by 99% and cases are confined to four endemic countries.”
Also known as Guinea worm disease, dracunculiasis is caused by the parasitic worm, Dracunculus medinensis. The worm emerges through the skin approximately 1 year after infection from contaminated drinking water, and results in pain and secondary bacterial infection that can cause temporary or permanent disabilities.
There were 126 cases of the parasitic disease reported through the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in 2014. Although this was the lowest annual number of cases yet reported, the emergence of dracunculiasis among domesticated dogs in Chad and outbreaks occurring in South Sudan and Mali slowed progress toward eradication.
This year appears to be more promising, the researchers wrote, as comparisons of the first 6 months of 2014 and 2015 reveal a 70% decrease in cases. Additionally, Ghana was certified free of dracunculiasis transmission in January, while “strong political support and technical leadership” has positioned South Sudan to become the next endemic country to interrupt transmission of the infection.
Issues of canine cases and civil unrest still persist among the final four endemic countries, the researchers wrote, presenting a continuing challenge for surveillance and global eradication efforts.
“With sufficient attention to nationwide surveillance, including use of cash rewards for reports of rumors of possible cases, prompt containment of any infections, appropriate interventions, strong political support and adequate security in the four remaining endemic countries, dracunculiasis will likely become the first parasitic disease to be eradicated,” the researchers concluded. – by Dave Muoio
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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